Eagle Scout Project Steps
Thank you for your interest in fulfilling your Eagle Project requirements with Montgomery Parks! The Park’s Volunteer Services Office (VSO) acts as a go-between you and Park Staff, and our primary objective is to make sure is that communication between the Scout and our Staff is effective as possible.
Montgomery Parks gets dozens of requests for Eagle Projects each year, but not all are approved. Demonstrating maturity, excellent planning skills, and having a well-considered and worthy project will increase the odds that a Scout’s project will be approved.
- Identify and propose a potential project: The Scout should find a project that corrects a problem or enhances the amenities in one of our parks. The Scout may contact the VSO, a Park Manager or other Park Staff for ideas for a project; however, it is not Staff’s responsibility to find a project for the Scout. The VSO can provide contact information of Park Staff to the Scout.
- Receive Initial Approval from Park Staff: The Scout and Staff discuss and figure out a potential project idea, which Staff supports and approves.
- Fill out the BSA’s “Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal” form: After a potential project is identified with Staff, the Scout will fill out the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal form and share a final copy with Staff before asking for the official signature on the proposal.
- Get Park Staff Signature and official approval: The Scout should arrange a time convenient for Staff to sign the form. Most of our Staff come in early and leave early, usually between 6 am and 3:30pm. The proposal can be mailed in or dropped off and picked up later if those hours are not convenient.
- Register as an official Parks Volunteer: If not already registered, the Scout should fill out a volunteer application: go to Parks Volunteers click on Search and Apply for all Volunteer Opportunities, click on Scouts/Youth Service Projects, find Eagle Scout Project – Montgomery Parks, then click on Job Details and then Apply to get to the application. A confirmation email will be sent back to the Scout that the application was received.
- Set up the Project’s Schedule: The project day(s) should be set up as soon as possible with Staff. We understand that the Proposal Form takes some time to get approved by the Scout’s troop leaders and council. The Scout should communicate with Staff an estimate of when he thinks the approvals will be done, and when the project will start. The Scout should not DISSAPPEAR and then expect Staff to be ready to go right away when he is ready to start his project. The Scout should work out with Staff the best way to communicate and discuss how much lead time they need before the project can start. Rain dates should also be considered.
- Meet On Site: Before the project starts, the Scout and Staff should meet on site to go over the Final Plan. Once again, this site meeting should be scheduled as far in advance as possible, as Park Staff are very busy, and their schedules fill up quickly.
- Discuss Supplies: Depending on the project, supplies, including tools, are often needed. Sometimes Parks has the necessary supplies, but more often it is up to the Scout to provide them. The Scout should discuss what supplies are necessary and who will provide which supplies with Staff. If Park’s supplies are used, it should be arranged well in advance on where they will be picked up and returned.
- Discuss Safety and get Permission for the use of Power Tools: The Scout is responsible for the safety of his team during the project. Any concerns about the site, procedures and project should be discussed with Staff well before the project begins. Montgomery Parks has an official policy concerning volunteer use of power tools: Adult volunteers are not allowed to use chain saws unless they are a certified sawyer, provide documentation, and demonstrate their skills to Park Staff. The Scout or other troop members may not use a chain saw at all. To use smaller power equipment, volunteers must demonstrate to Staff that they are competent users. Permission to use any power tools should be worked out with Staff well before the project starts.
- Communicate before and after the Project: The Scout and Staff should communicate a day or so before the project just to make sure everything is set to go, or if it needs to be cancelled or rescheduled. The Scout and Staff should communicate soon after the Project Day (especially if Staff were not there) to review how everything went and discuss if additional time is needed. Another site visit may be necessary.
- Be responsible for the Project: Park Staff may or may not be on site on during the project. Regardless, it is up to the Scout to be the one to lead the project. This also means that the Scout should be the one to initiate all aspects of the project, and that Staff (or the Scout’s parents or Troop Leaders) should not need to step in to move things along.
- Get Completion Approval: The Scout will arrange with Staff after the project is complete to get a signature indicating Completion Approval of the Project. The Scout should allow for enough time for the Staff to review what they are being asked to sign. Staff will ask for changes to be made if the Final Report is not correct, so the Scout should use care with spelling/grammar/accuracy, or it will be rejected. An additional copy of the Report should be provided to Staff as we keep a record for our files.
- Receive our Thanks and Gratitude: The Scout should be proud of his accomplishment of leading his troop in the successful completion of his project! Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system in large part due to the efforts of our many volunteers, including Eagle Scouts. Many of our Park Staff are successful Eagle Scouts and enjoy helping Scouts reach the same goal! Thank you for all you do for Parks!
If you have any questions about this process, or would like to discuss your Eagle Scout Project further